Telescopic container for storing food or non-food items

ABSTRACT

A telescopic container for storing food or non-food items is disclosed. The telescopic container comprises telescopic annular members, each telescopic annular member comprising sleeves progressively decreasing in size. The sleeves form an opening at one end and closed structure at other end. The sleeve at the opening indicates a connecting sleeve. The telescopic container further comprises a cylindrical member comprising an annular opening at each end. The cylindrical member receives the connecting sleeve of each telescopic annular member through the annular opening. One of the telescopic annular members and the cylindrical member receives the food or non-food items. Each of the telescopic annular members mounts to the cylindrical member and the length of the telescopic annular members is adjusted based on quantity of the food or non-food items received. The telescopic container comprises a base support and legs for placing the telescopic container at a height from a surface.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention generally relates to containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a telescopic or retractable container configured to operate in a telescopic or slidable manner for storing food items or non-food items. The telescopic container comprises a cylindrical member, and a base support with legs for supporting the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is known that containers are used generally for storing food items and/or non-food items. Generally, the containers may include a rigid structure with an opening and a cap or lid to cover the opening. However, traditional containers used to take up lot of space. In order to overcome the problems related to space, several designs of containers which are collapsible and foldable to a compact configuration have been disclosed in the past.

One such example is disclosed in a United States patent Pub No. 20110248040, entitled “Collapsible container” (“the '040 Publication”). The '040 Publication discloses a collapsible container which is movable from a collapsed position having a reduced volume for storage and transport and an expanded position having dimensional rigidity and securely holding the contents of the container. The collapsible container has a plurality of outer wall segments having a side wall with a first and second edge, the outer wall segments being movable from a collapsed position wherein the plurality of outer wall segments are stacked within each other such that the height of the collapsed container is similar to the height of the individual outer wall segments and an expanded position for use of the collapsible container.

Another example is disclosed in a United States granted Pat. No. 5,384,138, entitled “Collapsible containers” (“the '138 Patent”). The '138 Patent discloses a collapsible, thin wall, plastic container that includes a closed end, an annular peripheral side wall and an open end, the peripheral side wall including a plurality of annular steps or shoulders for enabling controlled axial collapse of the container to a compact, collapsed condition wherein a plurality of substantially concentric folds surround a remaining uncollapsed portion of the container; and a removable cap securable to the open end, the cap having a sealed chamber formed therein for holding a predetermined amount of foodstuff material.

Another example is disclosed in a United States patent Pub No. 20150291309, entitled “Collapsible container” (“the '309 Publication”). The '309 Publication discloses a collapsible container similar to the '040 Publication.

While the above patents describe a number of collapsible containers, there still remains a need for a telescopic or retractable container that is easily collapsible into the collapsed position and provides for secure storage of the food or non-food items in the expanded position.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is an object of the present invention to provide a telescopic container and that avoids the drawback of known collapsible containers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a telescopic container that includes a unique constructional features for storing food and non-food items.

In order to achieve to overcome the limitations here stated, the present invention provides a telescopic container configured for storing food and non-food items. The telescopic container includes two telescopic annular members. Each of the telescopic annular members includes sleeves progressively decreasing in size. Sleeves extend and retract from one another and allow to adjust the length of telescopic annular members.

Telescopic container further includes a cylindrical member having openings at ends. Cylindrical member receives each of the telescopic annular members through respective opening at the end. Telescopic container further includes a base support configured to receive the cylindrical member. Further, base support includes legs for placing the telescopic container at a height of the surface.

In one advantageous feature of the present invention, user may place food or non-food items in the telescopic annular members and/or cylindrical member. Subsequently, user may adjust the length of telescopic annular members by extending or retracting sleeves of telescopic annular members. When not in use, the user may completely retract the telescopic annular members to save space and easy transport.

Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying FIG. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the subject matter. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present subject matter will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, which are provided as illustrative examples of the subject matter so as to enable those skilled in the art to practice the subject matter. It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals. Notably, the FIG. and examples are not meant to limit the scope of the present subject matter to a single embodiment, but other embodiments are possible by way of interchange of some or all of the described or illustrated elements and, further, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a telescopic container, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a feature of extended and retractable mechanism of telescopic annular members, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear perspective of a base support, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a front and a bottom view of the telescopic container in extended configuration, respectively, in accordance with one embodiment of present invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a front and a bottom view of the telescopic container in collapsed configuration, respectively, in accordance with one embodiment of present invention; and

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a feature of the telescopic annular members used for storing food or non-food items without the use of cylindrical member, in accordance with another embodiment of present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments in which the presently disclosed subject matter may be practiced. The term “exemplary” used throughout this description means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The detailed description includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of the presently disclosed telescopic container. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the presently disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in functional or conceptual diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the presently disclosed telescopic container.

In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not be considered limiting. Rather, the subject matter preferably encompasses other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, the applicant does not intend for any term in the specification or claims to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present subject matter encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration.

Although the present disclosure provides a description of telescopic container, it is to be further understood that numerous changes may arise in the details of the embodiments of the telescopic container. It is contemplated that all such changes and additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of this disclosure.

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1 Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

It should be understood that the present invention describes a telescopic container for storing food or non-food items. The telescopic container comprises telescopic annular members, each telescopic annular member comprising sleeves progressively decreasing in size. The sleeves form an opening at one end and closed structure at other end. The sleeve at the opening indicates a connecting sleeve. The telescopic container further comprises a cylindrical member comprising an annular opening at each end. The cylindrical member receives the connecting sleeve of each telescopic annular member through the annular opening. One of the telescopic annular members and the cylindrical member receives the food or non-food items. Each of the telescopic annular members mounts to the cylindrical member and the length of the telescopic annular members is adjusted based on quantity of the food or non-food items received. The telescopic container comprises a base support and legs for placing the telescopic container at a height from a surface.

Various features and embodiments of a telescopic container for storing food or non-food items are explained in conjunction with the description of FIGS. 1-6B.

In one embodiment, the present invention discloses a telescopic container or retractable container for storing food items or non-food items. FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of telescopic container 10, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Telescopic container 10 may include at least two telescopic annular members 20. It should be understood that the telescopic annular members 20 may have same or different size from one another. Telescopic annular members 20 may include first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22. Each of first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22 may be made of metal, plastic, wood or any other suitable material.

First telescopic annular member 21 may include a series of first sleeves 24 progressively decreasing in size. First sleeves 24 may be provided in different shapes such as rectangular, cylindrical, square or any other shape. Further, the last sleeve or far-end sleeve of first sleeves 24 forms a closure (closed structure) and the sleeve that is at the near-end forms an opening for first telescopic annular member 21. First sleeves 24 may include connecting sleeve 26 (front or near-end sleeve) at the front. In other words, first telescopic annular member 21 may include a series of first sleeves 24 progressively decreasing in size in which the larger first sleeve 24 may be termed as connecting sleeve 26. Connecting sleeve 26 may form first opening 28. In the current embodiment, first telescopic annular member 21 may receive food items or non-food items into its interior through first opening 28. Food items may include, but not limited to, bread, vegetables, meet, lunch, sandwich, burger or any other food items. Non-food items may include, but not limited to, container made of any material, toys, personal items or any other non-food items.

As specified above, first telescopic annular member 21 may include a series of first sleeves 24 progressively decreasing in size. As such, first sleeve 24 that may be smaller in size may be termed as inner sleeve 32 and first sleeve 24 that may be larger in size than adjacent inner sleeve 32 may be termed as outer sleeve 34 in the series of first sleeves 24, as shown in FIG. 2A. In the current embodiment, inner sleeves 32 and outer sleeves 34 may connect in link and joint arrangement 30 such that inner sleeve 32 may retract/collapse and extend from outer sleeve 34. Here, inner sleeve 32 may slide out linearly from outer sleeve 34 thereby lengthening first telescopic annular member 21 (FIG. 2A) from its retracted/collapsed state (FIG. 2B). It should be understood that link and joint arrangement 30 as connecting mechanism is shown for illustrative purpose only and should not be construed in limited sense. Other connecting mechanisms for connecting inner sleeves 32 and outer sleeves 34 may also be incorporated in place of link and joint arrangement 30. For example, connecting mechanisms such as hook-and-loop, telescopic joints, hinge mechanism may also be provided in addition to or in lieu of the link and joint arrangement, and such implementations come within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows first sleeves 24 in fully extended position similar to a telescopic arrangement. Here, each inner sleeve 32 may extend with support from link and joint arrangement 30 with respect to adjacent outer sleeve 34. FIG. 2B shows first telescopic annular member 21 in retracted/collapsed state where all of inner sleeves 32 collapsed or retracted or slid into extreme outer sleeve 34 (connecting sleeve 26) shortening the length of first telescopic annular member 21.

Second telescopic annular member 22 may include second sleeves 36 progressively decreasing in size. Second sleeves 36 may be provided in different shapes such as rectangular, cylindrical, square or any other shape. Further, the last sleeve or far-end sleeve of Second sleeves 36 forms a closure and first sleeve forms an opening for second telescopic annular member 22. Second sleeves 36 may include connecting sleeve 38 (front or first sleeve) at the front. Similar to first sleeves 24, second sleeves 36 may include a series of sleeves 36 progressively decreasing in size. As such, second sleeves 36 may include inner sleeve (not shown, similar to inner sleeve 32) and outer sleeve (not shown, similar to outer sleeve 34). Here, inner sleeve 32 may have smaller size than outer sleeve. In the current embodiment, connecting sleeve 38 may form second opening 40. Second telescopic annular member 22 may receive food items or non-food items into its interior through second opening 40.

Telescopic container 10 may further include cylindrical member or cylindrical housing 50. Cylindrical member 50 may be made of metal, plastic, wood or any other suitable material. Cylindrical member 50 may have a hollow structure with openings from both sides. In other words, cylindrical member 50 may include first annular opening 52 and second annular opening 54. It should be understood that first annular opening 52 and second annular opening 54 may have slightly larger (inner) diameter to receive connecting sleeve 26 of first telescopic annular member 21 and connecting sleeve 38 of second telescopic annular member 22, respectively.

Telescopic container 10 may include base support 60 configured to receive cylindrical member 50. Base support 60 may be made of metal, plastic, wood or any other suitable material. In one example, base support 60 may be provided in a semi-cylindrical shape to receive and support cylindrical member 50 in its place and prevent from falling or rolling off from its place. FIG. 3 shows a rear perspective view of base support 60. Base support 60 may include leg receptacles 62 configured for receiving legs 70. Legs 70 may include T-shape or ‘+’ shape section 72 configured for insertion into leg receptacles 62. Legs 70 may allow to place telescopic container 10 at a height from surface such as ground or table or any other surface.

FIG. 4A and 4B show a front and a bottom view of telescopic container 10, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In order to assemble or construct telescopic container 10, at first, base support 60 may receive legs 70 via leg receptacles 62. Further, base support 60 may receive cylindrical member 50. Subsequently, cylindrical member 50 may receive connecting sleeve 26 of first telescopic annular member 21 via first annular opening 52 and connecting sleeve 38 of second telescopic annular member 22 via second annular opening 54. As specified above, first annular opening 52 and second annular opening 54 may have slightly larger inner diameter than outer diameter of connecting sleeve 26 and connecting sleeve 38. As such, connecting sleeve 26 and connecting sleeve 38 may mount to cylindrical member 50. In one example, first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22 may mount to cylindrical member 50 in a snap-click mechanism. In other example, due to the larger diameter of cylindrical member 50, first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22 may be placed and rotated to firmly sit within the inner diameter of cylindrical member 50.

As specified above, telescopic container 10 may store food and/or non-food items. In order to store food and/or non-food items, a user (not shown) may connect one of first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22 to cylindrical member 50. Consider that the user connects first telescopic annular member 21 to cylindrical member 50 via first annular opening 52. The user may place food and/or non-food items through the second annular opening 54 and into interior of first telescopic annular member 21 via first opening 28. Subsequently, the user may mount second telescopic annular member 22 to cylindrical member 50 via second annular opening 54.

Alternatively, the user may place food and/or non-food items in one of first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22 to cylindrical member 50 and mount to cylindrical member 50, as shown in FIG. 4A and 4B. It should be understood that user may adjust the length of one of first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22 depending on the need and size/quantity of food and/or non-food items stored within first telescopic annular member 21, second telescopic annular member 22 and cylindrical member 50. Due to the constructional features of sleeves 24; 36, length of first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22 may be adjusted without affecting shape or form of food and/or non-food items.

FIG. 5A and 5B show a front and a bottom view of telescopic container 10, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 5A and 5B show a feature of first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22 in retracted or collapsed position. As specified above, first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22 may retract or collapse (FIG. 5A and 5B) shortening their length from extended position (FIG. 4A and 4B). The user may apply pressure from sides of first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22 to slide inner sleeves 32 into outer sleeves 34 to collapse first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22. It should be understood that user may prefer to collapse telescopic annular members 20 when telescopic container 10 may not be in use or quality of food and/or non-food items may be less.

In another embodiment, telescopic annular members 20 may be configured for storing food and/or non-food items without the need of cylindrical member 50, base support 60 and legs 70. FIG. 6A shows a front view of telescopic annular members 20 including first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22. In the current embodiment, one of first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22 may be larger than the other. Consider that first telescopic annular member 21 may be larger second telescopic annular member 22. Specifically, connecting sleeve 26 may be larger in diameter than connecting sleeve 38. As such, connecting sleeve 26 may receive connecting sleeve 38 for connecting first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22.

When user wishes to store food and/or non-food items, he/she may place food and/or non-food items in one of first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22 and connect them as shown in FIG. 6A. Subsequently, the user may adjust the length of one of first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22, as explained above. When not in use, the user may remove the food and/or non-food items from first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22. Subsequently, the user may connect first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22 and retract (shorten length) first telescopic annular member 21 and second telescopic annular member 22, as shown in FIG. 6B. This ensures that the space is saved when telescopic container 10 is not in use. Further, user may carry or transport retracted telescopic container 10 in his hands or in any baggage such as a school bag or backpack, for example.

In the current embodiment, telescopic annular members 20 may be connected and placed over base support 60 without using cylindrical member 50. Further, base support 60 may mount to legs 70 to position telescopic annular members 20 at a height from the surface.

Alternatively, telescopic annular members 20 may be connected together as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Subsequently, telescopic annular members 20 may be placed in any baggage or container for easy transport.

Based on the above, it should be evident that the presently disclosed telescopic container 10 includes a unique construction of collapsible or retractable container allowing users to store food or non-food items. Telescopic container 10 may be made in different shapes and sizes with varying constructional features without deviating from the scope of the present invention. For example, number of annular members may be added or deleted with varying shape and size, and such disclosures should be construed within the scope of the presently disclosed telescopic container 10.

In the above description, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of some embodiments, specific components, devices, methods, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that these specific details need not be employed, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.

In the development of any actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but is nevertheless a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill. Hence as various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

The foregoing description of embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the subject matter. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the novel principles and subject matter disclosed herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the innovative faculty. The claimed subject matter set forth in the claims is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. It is contemplated that additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of the disclosed subject matter. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A telescopic container for storing food or non-food items, the telescopic container comprising: telescopic annular members, each telescopic annular member comprising sleeves progressively decreasing in size, wherein the sleeves form an opening at one end and a closed structure at other end, and wherein the sleeve at the opening indicates a connecting sleeve; and a cylindrical member comprising an annular opening at each end, wherein the cylindrical member receives the connecting sleeve of each telescopic annular member through the annular opening, wherein one of the telescopic annular members and the cylindrical member receives the food or non-food items, wherein each of the telescopic annular members mounts to the cylindrical member, and wherein the length of the telescopic annular members is adjusted based on quantity of the food or non-food items received.
 2. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein the sleeves comprises an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve.
 3. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein the outer sleeve is larger than the inner sleeve.
 4. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein inner diameter of the cylindrical member is larger than the outer diameter of the connecting sleeve.
 5. The telescopic container of claim 1, further comprises a base support, and wherein the base support receives the cylindrical member.
 6. The telescopic container of claim 6, further comprises legs, and wherein the legs mount to the base support to place the telescopic container at a height from a surface.
 7. The telescopic container of claim 7, wherein the base support comprises leg receptacles, wherein the leg receptacles receive the legs.
 8. A telescopic container for storing food or non-food items, the telescopic container comprising: a first telescopic annular member and a second telescopic annular member, wherein each of the first telescopic annular member and the second telescopic annular member comprises sleeves progressively decreasing in size, wherein the sleeves form an opening at one end and a closed structure at other end, and wherein the sleeve at the opening indicates a connecting sleeve, and wherein the first telescopic annular member is larger than the second telescopic annular member, wherein one of the first telescopic annular member and the second telescopic annular member receives the food or non-food items, wherein the first telescopic annular member mounts to the second telescopic annular member via the connecting sleeve, and wherein the length of one of the first telescopic annular member and the second telescopic annular member is adjusted based on quantity of the food or non-food items received.
 9. The telescopic container of claim 8, wherein the sleeves comprises an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve.
 10. The telescopic container of claim 9, wherein the outer sleeve is larger than the inner sleeve.
 11. The telescopic container of claim 8, further comprises a base support, and wherein the base support receives the first telescopic annular member and the second telescopic annular member.
 12. The telescopic container of claim 11, further comprises legs, and wherein the legs mount to the base support to place telescopic container at a height from a surface.
 13. The telescopic container of claim 12, wherein the base support comprises leg receptacles, wherein the leg receptacles receive the legs.
 14. A method of storing food or non-food items, the method comprising steps of: providing telescopic annular members, each telescopic annular member comprising sleeves progressively decreasing in size, the sleeves form an opening at one end and a closed structure at other end, the sleeve at the opening indicates a connecting sleeve; providing a cylindrical member comprising an annular opening at each end, the cylindrical member configured for receiving the connecting sleeve of each telescopic annular member through the annular opening; receiving the food or non-food items in one of the telescopic annular members and the cylindrical member; mounting each of the telescopic annular members to the cylindrical member; and adjusting the length of the telescopic annular member based on quantity of the food or non-food items received in one of the telescopic annular members and the cylindrical member.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising a base support for receiving the cylindrical member.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising legs configured for mounting to the base support to place the telescopic container at a height from a surface.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising leg receptacles at the base support for mounting the legs to base support. 